The Cutting Edge: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in New Europe

Citation

Warren, L. (2009), "The Cutting Edge: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in New Europe", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 518-519. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552550910983059

I enjoyed reading this book, which draws together a selection of case studies in entrepreneurship and innovation from eight new EU member countries that are still in the process of turbulent social and economic change: Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia. In all these countries, it is easy to identify barriers to entrepreneurship, so it is really heartening to read of eight instances where successful businesses have been created out of the possibilities presented by structural change. The cases reflect the different research designs that have been implemented, but all emphasise the interplay between the individual and the environment, and how that interplay resulted in an enabling context for business success. Of course, the legacy of central planning in these countries has created a climate that does not always see the entrepreneur in quite the individualistic heroic mode that we have come to embrace in the West. Not surprisingly, many of the entrepreneurs in the book encountered negative attitudes that required at times a remarkable degree of persistence and tenacity to overcome, in addition to more obvious issues such as financial constraints.

Edward Elgar have a history of producing collections of papers that address particular spaces in the entrepreneurship and innovation domain. At times, despite an overall high level of quality, I have found that the overall focus can be a little weak, with a lack of meaningful integration in either the subject context or the methodological approach across the contributions. That is not the case here; although the businesses studied follow a variety of development paths, overall the same need for EU policymakers to take into account the distinctive nature of structural and contextual issues in different countries when developing business support measure is well illustrated. Inevitably, however, it is too early to draw up specific plans of action from what is presented here.

The book commences with a brief introduction from the editors and an initial description of each of the case studies. This introductory chapter concludes with around four pages where issues emerging from the collection are identified, though the conclusions drawn here are at quite a basic level. The heart of the book is indeed the case studies: an environmental services knowledge based firm in the Czech Republic; an electrical components firm in Bulgaria; a cartographic firm in Estonia linked to the University of Tallin; a company from the emergent IT sector in Hungary; a wood processing firm in Lithuania; a specialist clothing company in Latvia; a portfolio company in Poland; and finally a marine company in Slovenia. This is quite a mix of companies which have all reacted to emergent niches in their traditional environment, often building serendipitously on individual skill sets in line with opportunities presented. Each case is fascinating reading and in many of the studies the vibrant nature of the entrepreneurial change‐driver shines through.

To conclude, the book is aimed at “academics and researchers of entrepreneurship as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students of international business and entrepreneurship”, as well as practitioners carrying out business in the transition economies. I would agree with that, the case studies do bring out the exciting and challenging nature of what has been, and can be achieved. Of course, this book does not, and nor does it intend to, set out conceptual framework that integrate themes across the countries in any depth. Nonetheless, there is much sound material here to stimulate both insight, and detailed classroom discussions. I would certainly recommend the book for a library purchase. Additionally, given the book is currently available for around £30, it may well be a very useful purchase for researchers and students of the selected case countries.